Insulated window assembly with movable sash

ABSTRACT

In a window assembly having an outer frame within which inboard and outboard lapping sashes are mounted for horizontal or vertical relative movement, the outer frame includes interior and exterior metal frame members and a rigid plastic or other nonmetallic thermal barrier member therebetween connecting the metal frame members in thermally insulated relation to each other, each sash includes an inner frame embracing the periphery of a glass or other panel and constituted by a metal frame member and a rigid plastic or other nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member respectively defining the entire opposite lateral surfaces of the frame, and the inboard and outboard sashes have their insulating frame members at their exterior and interior sides, respectively, so as to be adjacent to the thermal barrier member of the outer frame. The insulating frame member of each sash desirably includes a web or webs defining the respective lateral surface of the sash frame and flanges extending therefrom and having free marginal portions interlocking with the metal sash frame member to substantially space the latter from the web and to cooperate with the web and the metal frame member in defining cavities therebetween.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Robert Lewis La Barge Paul Noble v ll gh, Lower Burl-ell, both of, E.

[2i] Appl. No. 832,131

[22] Filed J1me ll, I969 [45] Patented Alg. 14, 1971 [73] Assignee Aluminu- Cunpany of America Pittsburgh, Pa.

[54] INSULATED WINDOW ASSEMBLY WITH 504, DIG. 1; 52/202, 207, 212, 393, 403, 656, 476

Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Atromeys-Albert C. Johnston and Robert E. lsner ABSTRACT: In a window assembly having an outer frame within which inboard and outboard lapping sashes are mounted for horizontal or vertical relative movement, the outer frame includes interior and exterior metal frame members and a rigid plastic or other nonmetallic thermal barrier member therebetween connecting the metal frame members in thermally insulated relation to each other, each sash includes an inner frame embracing the periphery of a glass or other panel and constituted by a metal frame member and a rigid plastic or other nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member respectively defining the entire opposite lateral surfaces of the frame, and the inboard and outboard sashes have their insulating frame members at their exterior and interior sides, respectively, so as to be adjacent to the thermal barrier member of the outer frame. The insulating frame member of each sash desirably includes a web or webs defining the respective lateral surface of the sash frame and flanges extend- [56] Rdm cw ing therefrom and having free marginal portions interlocking UNITED STATES PATENTS with the metal sash frame member to substantially space the 3,302,354 2/1967 Mermell 52/476 latter from the web and to cooperate with the web and the 3,420,026 1/ I969 Nolan 52/403 metal frame member in defining cavities therebetween.

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I 74 1 k n fa q 55a 5 41 f g 1 5. '2 I 57 an 7 7/ "I' 7 -5a 33 321 22 32 I Jo 33 I? 37 37 Joe- 3L 4 INVENTORS ROBERT LEWIS LA BARGE PAUL. NOBLE VOSBURGH AT TORNE Y PATENIEU M18248" SHEET 2 BF 6 FIG. 2.

mvrwrons ROBERT LEWIS LA BARGE PAUL NOBLE VOSBURGH ATTORNEY INVENTORS ROBERT LEWIS LA BARGE HAUL NOBLE VOSBURGH AZK QLM ATTORNEY PATENTEU M1824 r971 SHEU 6 BF 6 m GI s g Q INVENTORS ROBERT LEWIS LA BARGE PAUL NOBLE VOSBURGH BY ATTORNEY INSULATED WINDOW ASSEMBLY WITH MOVABLE SASII This invention relates generally to thermally insulated window and similar panel assemblies for installation in a rough opening of an enclosing wall exposed to different temperature conditions at the opposite sides thereof.

The relatively high thermal conductivity of metals, such as aluminum. is probably the most undesirable property limiting their substitution for wood and other less conductive nonmetallic structural materials. The effects of the foregoing characteristic are best seen in window and other panel assemblies employing metal framing in direct conductive relationship with air at interior and exterior ambient temperatures giv ing rise to the generation and presence of frost and condensation on the interior surfaces of the framing, particularly in northern climates where extreme interior and exterior temperature differentials may prevail. Of course, where the window assembly has a metal outer frame fixed in the rough opening of the wall and also a sash or sashes movably mounted in such fixed outer frame and each having a metal frame peripherally embracing the glass or other panel, the described problem exists with respect to the metal sash frame as well as the metal outer or fixed frame.

Some relief from the deleterious high thermal conductivity of metal framing for windows and similar panels has been achieved, particularly with respect to fixed metal window frames, by constituting the latter of separate interior and exterior metal parts respectively exposed to the air at interior and exterior ambient temperatures and being connected to each other by an intermediate member of plastic or other nonmetallic material having thermal insulating properties and intended to act as a thermal break or barrier between the metal frame parts, for example, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,377, issued Dec. 6, 1966. Further, in window assemblies having movable sash, it has been proposed to form the fixed frame and the frame of the movable sash partly of metal members and partly of plastic members, for example, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,302,354, issued Feb. 7, I967, in which the metal and plastic frame members are particularly provided for the purpose of facilitating the assembly and disassembly of the various components. Although the structures as disclosed in the foregoing patents inherently alleviate the conditions resulting from the thermal conductivity of the metal frame members, such structures do not fully solve the mentioned problems as they do not incorporate relationships for maximum avoidance of heat transfer between surfaces of the window frames exposed to relatively warm and cold air. Further, the identified patents and other proposals for providing thermal breaks or barriers in metal window frames do not disclose arrangements by which truly efficient thermal breaks or barriers may be incorporated in metal-framed window assemblies of the type in which a fixed outer frame supports two lapping sashes having respective inner frames that are movable vertically as in a double-hung window, or horizontally as in a sliding or rolling window.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a window having a glass or other panel with a frame extending along and embracing the panel periphery and constituted by metal and nonmetallic thermal insulating members which are constructed and arranged for maximum avoidance of heat transfer between the lateral surfaces of the frame exposed to disparate ambient air temperatures.

Another object is to obtain the maximum avoidance of heat transfer between the lateral surfaces of the frame exposed to disparate ambient air temperatures with metal and nonmetallic frame members that are capable of easy and economical production and assembly and result in a window frame of pleasing appearance and adequate rigidity and strength.

A further object of the invention is to provide a window assembly having an outer frame to be fixed in a rough opening and lapping sashes movable in parallel planes in the outer frame and each having an inner frame supporting the respective glass or other panel, with the outer frame and the inner frames being formed largely of metal and having efficient thermal breaks or barriers incorporated therein for maximum avoidance of heat transfer between the surfaces of the frames exposed to disparate air temperatures.

Still another object is to obtain effective sealing of a window assembly having the foregoing characteristics.

In accordance with a feature of this invention, the frame extending around the periphery of a glass or other panel of a window comprises a metal frame member and a rigid nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member respectively constituting the entire opposite lateral surfaces of the frame for exposure to disparate ambient air temperatures, and the insulating frame member includes a relatively thin web or webs defining the respective lateral surface of the frame and relatively thin flanges extending from the web or webs toward the metal frame member and effecting interlocking engagement with the latter at free marginal portions of the flanges, so that the web or webs and the metal frame member are substantially spaced from each other and cooperate with the flanges in defining a cavity or cavities therebetween, whereby to minimize the possibility of conduction of heat between the metal and nonmetallic insulating frame members.

In accordance with another feature of this invention, a window assembly comprises an outer frame to be installed in a rough wall opening and including interior and exterior metal frame members for exposure to the interior and exterior ambient air temperatures and a rigid nonmetallic thermal barrier member disposed intermediate, and rigidly assembling together the interior and exterior metal frame members while thermally insulating the latter from each other, and two lapping sashes within the outer frame respectively disposed generally at the inboard and outboard sides of the median of the thermal barrier member with at least one of the sashes being movable in the respective plane for opening and closing the window, each of the sashes having a glass or other panel and an inner frame embracing the periphery thereof, with each inner frame including a metal frame member and a rigid nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member preferably as aforesaid, respectively constituting the entire opposite lateral surfaces of the inner frame, and with the inboard and outboard sashes having their thermal insulating frame members respectively facing toward the exterior and interior so as to be disposed adjacent the thermal barrier member of the outer frame for cooperation therewith in providing an efficient thermal break or barrier between all metal frame members of the assembly which are exposed to disparate ambient temperatures.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is an elevational view of the exterior side of a window assembly embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 on FIG. I, but with the sashes relatively moved so as to be coextensive;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the exterior side ofa window assembly according to another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 on FIG. 4', and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 4, but with the sashes being relatively moved so as to be vertically coextensive.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. I thereof, it will be seen that the invention is there shown applied to a window assembly 10 of the horizontal sliding or rolling type that generally comprises an outer frame I] and relatively movable sashes I2 and I3 mounted within the outer frame in parallel closely spaced planes. The outer frame ll,

which is intended to be fixed in the usual rough opening provided in an enclosing wall, includes a header 14 and sill 15 at the top and bottom and side jambs 16 secured at their ends in any convenient manner to the header and sill. Further, each of sashes 12 and 13 includes a panel or pane 17 of glass or other suitable material and a frame 18 extending around and embracing the periphery of the respective panel 17.

In the following description, the terms exterior and interior" are intended to refer to the directions toward the outside and toward the inside, respectively, of the window assembly in planes normal to the planes of panels 17, and the terms inner" and outer refer to the directions toward and away from, respectively, the middle of the window assembly in the planes of panels 17. Thus, the fixed frame 11 is outward from the relatively inner frames 18 of sashes 12 and 13, and the planes of sashes 12 and 13 can be spoken of as being relatively exterior and interior planes.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that, in the outer frame 11 according to this invention, header 14 includes exterior and interior metal framing members 19 and 20, sill 15 includes exterior and interior metal framing members 21 and 22 and each jamb 16 includes exterior and interior metal framing members 23 and 24, all of which metal framing members are preferably aluminum extrusions. The header 14, sill 15 and jambs 16 further include nonmetallic framing members 25, 26 and 27, respectively, of rigid thermal insulating material. for example, of extruded rigid vinyl or the like, which are disposed between the respective metal framing members 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24, and in inter locking engagement therewith, as hereinafter described in detail, so as to rigidly assemble together the associated metal framing members and thermally insulate the latter from each other. The exterior framing members 19, 21 and 23 are suitably connected to each other at their ends to constitute an exterior metal frame member, and the interior framing members 20, 22 and 24 are similarly connected to each other at their ends to constitute an interior metal frame member, with such exterior and interior metal frame members of outer frame 11 being rigidly assembled together and thermally insulated from each other by the nonmetallic framing members 25, 26 and 27 which constitute a thermal barrier member of outer frame 11.

As shown, each of exterior metal framing members 19, 21 and 23 includes an interiorly extending wall 28 having an outwardly directed rim 29 along its free interior edge and an outwardly directed flange 30 spaced in the exterior direction from rim 29 to define a groove 31 therebetween. Flange 30 has an inclined face 32 at its exterior side and is undercut adjacent wall 28 to define a shoulder 33 between face 32 and wall 28. Similarly, each of interior metal framing members 20, 22 and 24 includes an exteriorly extending wall 34 which is generally coplanar with the wall 28 of the associated exterior metal framing member and which, along its free exterior edge portion, is provided with an outwardly directed rim 29a and an outwardly directed flange 300 formed as substantial mirror images of rim 29 and flange 30, respectively.

Each of the nonmetallic framing members 25, 26 and 27 is shown to include a relatively thin web 35 extending between the confronting free edges of walls 28 and 34 and having L- shaped flanges 36 and 36a extending outwardly from its opposite margins and then exteriorly and interiorly, respectively. Parallel walls 37 and 37a extend inwardly and outwardly from flange 36 and from flange 360, respectively, to cooperate therewith in defining inwardly opening grooves 38 and 38a for receiving the rims 29 and 29a. respectively, of the associated exterior and interior metal framing members. inclined walls 39 and 39a diverge inwardly from the outer margins of walls 37 and 37a and, at their inner edges, are formed with flanges 40 and 400 which extend toward walls 37 and 37a, respective ly, to define restricted slots therebetween.

In assembling an exterior metal framing member 19, 21 or 23 with the associated nonmetallic framing member 25, 26 or 27, the flange 30 of the metal framing member is pushed outwardly into the restricted slot between flange 40 and wall 37 and, by reason of the inclined face 32, flange 39 is angularly flexed away from the adjacent wall 37 until flange 40 snaps into place inwardly of shoulder 33. Upon such engagement of flange 40 with shoulder 33, rim 29 is engaged and securely retained in groove 38 and the inner edge portion of wall 37 is similarly engaged and retained in groove 31. The assembling of each interior metal framing member 20, 22 or 24 with the respective nonmetallic framing member 25, 26 or 27 is effected in a similar manner so that members 25, 26 and 27 finally rigidly assemble together the respective metal framing members 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24, to constitute the thermal barrier member of outer frame 11.

It will be apparent that, in such outer frame 11, the only path for heat transfer by conduction through framing members 25, 26 and 27 between the interior and exterior metal framing members is by way of the webs 35 which, by reason of their relatively small thickness and the thermal insulating material of members 25, 26 and 27, effectively resist such heat transfer by conduction.

Each of the nonmetallic framing members 25, 26 and 27 is also seen to have, as an integral part thereof, an inwardly directed median flange 41 extending centrally along its web 35. In the case of the sill 15, its nonmetallic framing member 26 further includes an integral shelf 42 extending along flange 41 inwardly of web 35 and being directed interiorly and exteriorly from flange 41 to constitute a support surface for sashes l2 and 13.

The exterior metal framing members 19, 21 and 23 are further shown to have flanges 43 directed inwardly from the exterior margins of their walls 28 to cooperate with the median flange 41 in defining a guide channel therebetween for the exterior sash 12 which is disposed outboard with respect to median flange 41. Similarly each of interior metal framing members 20, 22 and 24 is shown to have a flange 44 directed inwardly from the interior margin of wall 34 to cooperate with the median flange 41 in defining a guide channel therebetween for the interior sash 13 which is disposed inboard of the median flange 41. In the case of the sill 15, its metal framing members 21 and 22 have ledges 45 and 46 formed on flanges 43 and 44 to carry the exterior and interior margins of the shelf 42 for supporting the sashes (FIG. 2).

As shown, the exterior metal framing members 19, 21 and 23 further may have mounting fins 47 extending outwardly from their walls 28 for suitable attachment to the building structure around the rough opening for the window assembly. The exterior metal framing members 19 and 21 of header 14 and sill 15 may also have L-shaped flanges 48 (FIG. 2) extending from flanges 43 at the exterior of the latter to define downwardly and upwardly opening channels, respectively, for the reception and mounting of screens or storm sashes, A sta bar 49 (FIG. 3) may extend vertically between flanges 48 and be suitably connected to the latter at the ends of bar 49 for bracing the outer frame 11 of the window assembly at the middle thereof.

In accordance with this invention, the inner frame 18 of each of sashes l2 and 13 is shown to comprise metal framing members 50, 51, 52 and 53, preferably of extruded aluminum, which respectively extend along the top, bottom and opposite sides of panel 17 and are suitably joined to each other preferably with mitered joints at the corners of frame 18 to constitute a metal frame member of the latter. Each inner frame 18 further comprises nonmetallic framing members 54, 55, 56 and 57 of rigid thermal insulating material, for example, of extruded rigid vinyl or the like, which are in interlocking engagement with metal framing members 50, 51, 52 and 53, respectively, as hereinafter described in detail, and also joined at mitered corners to constitute a thermal insulating frame member of inner frame 18.

As shown, the top and bottom metal framing members 50 and 51 of each frame 18 are identical, but inverted with respect to each other, and each includes a web 58 having an angled inner marginal portion 58' from which a flange 59 is directed outwardly to define a seating surface for one side of panel 17. A wall 60 is directed at right angles to web 58 and extends substantially beyond the plane of flange 59 to a flange 61 which is directed inwardly from wall 60. The edge of flange 61 is at a distance from wall 60 that is approximately equal to the spacing between wall 60 and the edge of flange 59. A flange 63 is directed outwardly from wall 60 and is parallel to, and spaced from web 58. In the case of bottom metal framing member 51, rollers 64 may be rotatably mounted in molded comer-joining keys 62 and project downwardly from the latter for rolling engagement with shelf 42. Further, as shown on FIG. 2, the flange 63 of each of members 50 and 51 has a reverted rim 65 to define an inwardly opening groove 66 at the side of flange 63 that faces away from web 58.

The top and bottom nonmetallic framing members 54 and 55 are also identical, but inverted with respect to each other, and each includes a web 67 having an angled inner marginal portion 67' from which a flange 68 is directed outwardly to define a seating surface for the side of panel 17 which is opposed to that seating against flange 59. The edge of flange 68 is thickened and has an outwardly opening groove 69 therealong to receive the inner edge of flange 61. The outer margin of web 67 has a flange 70 extended therefrom to bear, at its edge, against rim 65, and a flange 71 is also extended from the outer portion of web 67 and spaced inwardly from flange 70, with the edge of flange 71 angled outwardly, as at 72, to engage in groove 66. Further, at a location intermediate angled marginal portion 67' of web 67 and flange 71, a septum 73 of arcuate cross section extends from web 58 to bear upon an edge 74 provided on wall 60 outwardly with respect to flange 61.

In assembling together framing members 50 and 54 and framing members 51 and 55, the angled edge 72 of flange 71 and the groove 69 of flange 68 at one end of member 54 or 55 may be aligned with the groove 66 and the edge of flange 61 of member 50 or 51, respectively, and then the members 50 and 54 or 51 and 55 may be displaced longitudinally relative to each other so as to be longitudinally coextensive with edge 72 in groove 66 and the edge of flange 61 in groove 69, as shown. Alternatively, framing members 50 and 54 and framing members S1 and 55 may be assembled by a snapping action to engage edge 72in groove 66 and the edge of flange 61 in groove 69.

The side metal framing members 52 and 53 and the side nonmetal framing members 56 and 57 for each inner frame 18 are generally similar to the above-described members 50 and 51 and members 54 and 55, respectively, and have their corresponding parts identified by the same reference numerals, but with the letter a" appended thereto (FIG. 3). However, as shown, in side metal framing members 52 and 53, a wall 75 parallel to wall 600 extends from the outer margin of web 580 to the outer margin of flange 63a to form a boxlike structure.

When the various-described framing members of each inner frame 18 are assembled together, as indicated above, an inwardly opening peripheral gap is defined between flanges 59 and 68 and between flanges 59a and 68a to receive the peripheral portion of the respective panel 17 which is preferably provided with a continuous sealing strip 76 of thermal insulating material wrapped over the edge of the panel. When the panel 17 is of glass, insulating glass is preferably employed therefor, that is, the panel 17 is constituted by an assembly of two parallel, spaced glass sheets with a peripheral seal therebetween, as shown.

It will be seen that, in accordance with this invention, sashes 12 and 13 are oppositely mounted in outer frame 11. That is, outboard sash 12 which is at the exterior side of median flanges 41 is arranged with its thermal insulating frame member constituted by nonmetallic framing members 54, 55, 56 and 57 at the interior side of sash 12, while inboard sash 13 which is at the interior side of median flanges 41 is arranged with its thermal insulating frame member at the exterior side of sash 13. By reason of the foregoing arrangement of sashes l2 and I3, the nonmetallic framing members 54, 55 and 56 of the thermal insulating frame members of both sashes are disposed closely adjacent the flanges 41 of the nonmetallic framing members 25, 26 and 27 which constitute the thermal barrier member of outer frame 11. Further, when sashes l2 and 13 are closed, as shown on FIG. 3, the meeting or lapping nonmetallic framing members 57 of the sashes are also in closely adjacent, facing relation (FIG. 3).

It will also be seen that, in the described window assembly 10, the entire opposite lateral surfaces of the inner frame 18 of each of sashes l2 and 13 are respectively constituted by the webs 58, 58', 58a and 58'a of the metal framing members and by the webs 67, 67', 67a and 67'a of the nonmetallic framing members. Further, in each sash frame 18, the webs 67 and 67' or 67a and 67'a of the nonmetallic framing members constituting one of the lateral surfaces of the inner or sash frame are connected with the metal framing members constituting the other lateral surface of frame 18 only by way of the relatively thin flanges 68, 70, 71 and 73 or 680, 70a, 71a and 730 which engage the metal framing members only at their respective free marginal portions, for example, at the edge of flange 68 receiving the edge of flange 61 in its groove 69, at the edge of flange 70 abutting rim 65, at the edge 72 of flange 71 engaged in groove 66 and at the edge 74 engaging flange or septum 73. Thus, heat transfer by conduction between the opposite lateral surfaces of each sash frame 18 exposed to disparate ambient air temperatures can occur only through the mentioned thin flanges of the nonmetallic framing members, whereby such heat transfer is efficiently resisted. Further, the mentioned thin flanges of the nonmetallic framing members, the webs of the latter and the respective metal framing members 50, 51, 52 and 53 cooperate to define cavities 77 and 78 therebetween in which the contained air enhances the insulating effect.

Accordingly, in the window assembly 10 as shown, heat transfer from the interior lateral surface to the exterior lateral surface of frame 18 of sash 12, which lateral surfaces are respectively constituted by the framing members 54, 55, 56 and 57 and by the framing members 50, 51, 52 and 53, is efficiently resisted to prevent cooling of the interior surface and condensation of moisture thereon from the warm, relatively moist interior air to which such interior surface is exposed. Similarly, in the case of sash 13, where the interior and exterior lateral surfaces of the sash frame 18 are respectively constituted by the metal framing members 50, 51, 52 and 53 and by the nonmetallic framing members 54, 55, 56 and 57, the heat transfer from the interior to the exterior lateral surface is efficiently resisted to again prevent such cooling of the interior surface as would result in condensing of moisture thereon from the warm interior air to which it is exposed. In each instance, the webs 67, 67' or 67a, 67'a constituting an entire lateral surface of the sash frame are spaced a substantial distance, preferably at least one-fourth inch, from the nearest portion of the associated metal framing member 50, 51, 52 or 53, as by the flanges 68, 70, 71 and 73 of the nonmetallic framing members.

In order to seal window assembly 10 when its sashes l2 and 13 are in their closed positions, the webs 58, 58a of metal framing members 50, 51 and 52 have undercut grooves 79 extending along their outer portions and receiving pile sealing strips 80 engageable with flanges 43 of outer frame 11 in the case of sash 12 and with flanges 44 of outer frame 11 in the case of sash 13. The stay bar 49 (FIG. 3) may also have an undercut groove 81 extending along its interior side and receiving a pile sealing strip 82 engaging web 580 of the metal framing member 53 of sash 12 when the latter is in its closed position. Further, each of the nonmetallic framing members has an undercut groove 83 extending along the outer portion of its web 67 or 670 and receiving a pile sealing strip 84; The sealing strips 84 thus carried by framing members 54, 55 and 56 of outboard sash l2 engage the exterior sides of flanges 41 of the thermal barrier member in outer frame 11, while the sealing strips 84 carried by framing members 54,55 and 56 ofinboard sash 13 engage the interior sides of flanges 41. The pile scaling strips 84 carried by framing members 57 of sashes 12 and 13 which meet or overlap at the center of the window assembly each engage the web 67a of the other framing member 57 (FIG. 3). Thus, it will be seen that the sealing strips 80, B2 and 84 all extend between and engage either two nonmetallic framing members or two metal framing members which are, with the exception of the pile sealing strips 84 extending between framing members 57, exposed to substantially the same ambient air temperature to discourage heat transfer by way of the sealing strips. The pile sealing strips 84 carried by members 57 provide two parallel seals between the latter. Similarly, the other pile sealing strips provide two parallel seals between each sash frame and the outer frame 11.

The window assembly 10 may be provided with a handle 85 which may be formed integrally with framing member 56 of sash 12 (FIG. 3) and a similar handle (not shown) formed integrally with framing member 52 of sash 13. Further, a latch 89 may be pivoted on framing member 53 of inboard sash l3 and engageable in a keeper recess provided in a keeper 88 on framing member 57 of outboard sash 12. Since framing members $3 and 57 of sashes 13 and 12, respectively, are both exposed to the relatively warm interior ambient air, no heat transfer can occur through the latch 89.

An important feature of the window assembly 10 as described above is that, in all instances, a barrier of nonmetallic, thermal insulating material, preferably measuring at least one-fourth inch thereacross, is provided between each aluminum or other metal part of the outer frame 11 and of the inner frame 18 of each sash and the nearest incompatible air, that is, the nearest air at a temperature substantially different from that of the air to which the aluminum part in question is exposed. Thus, in the case of the outer frame 11, web 35 preferably has a lateral width of at least one-fourth inch, and, in the case of sash frames 18, flanges 68, 70, 71 and 73 or flanges 68a, 70a, 71a and 730 preferably have a width (measured at right angles to their thicknesses) of at least one-fourth inch. Further, the pile sealing strips 80 and 84 ensure that there will be no leakage or flow of warm interior air to the exterior, or drafts of cold exterior air to the interior, past the peripheries of the sash frames 18 as would chill the framing members of outer frame 11 or of sash frames 18 exposed to the warm interior air. Accordingly, condensation and frosting on the interior parts of the window assembly are prevented.

Although the window assembly 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 is of the type having horizontally rolling or sliding sashes, it will be appreciated that the described features of this invention may be similarly applied to a window assembly 110 of the double-hung type (FIG. 4), that is, a window assembly in which lapping sashes 112 and 113 are vertically slidable within a fixed outer frame.

In the window assembly 110, the various parts of outer frame 111 and of sashes 112 and 113 are identified by the same reference numerals used to identify the corresponding parts of window assembly 10, but with the digit l preceding such numerals. Thus, outer frame 111 is shown to include a header 114, sill 115 and side jambs 116, while each of sashes 112 and 113 includes a panel 117, preferably of insulating glass, and an inner or sash frame 118 extending around and embracing the periphery of the respective panel.

In the outer frame 111 according to this invention, as shown particularly on FIGS. 5 and 6, exterior and interior metal framing members 119 and 120 are rigidly connected by a nonmetallic framing member 125 therebetween to form header 114, exterior and interior metal framing members 121 and 122 are rigidly connected by a nonmetallic framing member 126 therebetween to form sill 115, and exterior and interior metal framing members 123 and 124 are rigidly connected by a nonmetallic framing member 127 therebetween to form each side jamb 116. As before, framing members 119, 121 and 123 are suitably connected to each other, at their ends, to constitute an exterior metal frame member, and framing members 120, 122 and 124 are similarly connected to each other, at their ends, to constitute an interior metal frame member, with such exterior and interior metal frame members of outer frame 111 being rigidly assembled together and thermally insulated from each other by the nonmetallic framing members 125, 126 and 127 which constitute a thermal barrier member of outer frame 111.

As shown, the structures by which metal framing members 119, 121 and 123 and metal framing members 120, 122 and 124 are respectively joined to nonmetallic framing members 125, 126 and 127 may be similar to the structures described for that purpose in connection with window assembly 10 so that the connected metal framing members of sill and side jambs 116 are separated by a web 135 of the respective nonmetallic framing member 126 or 127 while the connected metal framing members of header 114 are separated by a web 135' of framing member which web, in this case, extends vertically between the vertically offset metal framing members 119 and 120. Further, it will be seen that nonmetallic framing members 127 of jambs 116 have median flanges 141 extending inwardly from their webs and that such flanges may be omitted from members 125 and 126 of the header and sill.

It will be apparent that, in outer frame 111, the only path for heat transfer by conduction between the exterior and interior metal framing members thereof is by way of the webs 13S and 135' of the nonmetallic framing members, and by reason of the relatively small thickness of such webs and the thermal insulating material of members 125, I26 and 127 such heat transfer is efficiently resisted.

The exterior metal framing members 123 ofjambs 116 are further shown to have flanges 143 directed inwardly from the exterior margins of their walls 128 (FIG. 6) to cooperate with median flanges 141 in defining guide channels therebetween for the exterior sash 112 which is disposed outboard with respect to median flanges 141. Similarly, the interior metal framing members 124 of jambs 116 have flanges 144 directed inwardly from the interior margins of their walls 134 to cooperate with median flanges 141 in defining guide channels therebetween for the interior sash 113 which is disposed inboard of median flanges 141. The exterior metal framing members 119, 121 and 123 also have mounting fins 147 extending outwardly from their walls 128 for suitable attachment to the building structure around the rough opening for the window assembly.

In accordance with this invention, the inner frame 118 of each of sashes 112 and 113 is shown to comprise metal framing members 150, 151, 152 and 153, preferably of extruded aluminum, which respectively extend along the opposed sides and the opposed horizontally extending edges of the respective panel 117 and are suitably joined to each other, preferably with mitered joints, at the corners of frame 118 to constitute a metal frame member of the latter. Each inner frame 118 further comprises nonmetallic framing members 154, 155, 156 and 157 of rigid thermal insulating material, for example, of extruded rigid vinyl or the like, which are in interlocking engagement with metal framing members 150, 151, 152 and 153, respectively, and also joined to each other at mitered corners to constitute a thermal insulating frame member of inner frame 118.

As shown, the metal framing members 150, 151, 152 and 153 and the nonmetallic framing members 154, 155, 156 and 157 of each sash or inner frame 118 may be generally similar, in configuration and interengagement, to the similarly numbered framing members 50, 51, 52 and 53, and S4, S5, 56 and 57, respectively, of each sash frame 18, which have been described in detail above.

It will be seen that, in accordance with this invention, sashes 112 and 113 are oppositely mounted in outer frame 111. That is, outboard sash 112 which is at the exterior side of median flanges 141 is arranged with its thermal insulating frame member constituted by nonmetallic framing members 154, 155, 156 and 157 at the interior of sash 112, while inboard sash 113 at the interior sides of flanges 141 is arranged with its similarly constituted thermal insulating frame member at the exterior side of sash 113. By reason of the foregoing arrangement of sashes 112 and 113, the nonmetallic framing members 154 and 155 of both sashes are closely adjacent flanges 141 of framing members 127 of jambs 116 (FIG. 6), and the nonmetallic framing members 156 of sashes 112 and 113 are also closely adjacent to framing members 125 and 126, respectively of header 114 and sill 115 when the sashes are in their closed positions (FIG. Further, when the sashes are closed, the meeting or lapping nonmetallic framing members 157 are also in closely adjacent, facing relation.

As in the first-described embodiment, the entire opposite lateral surfaces of the inner or sash frame 118 of each of sashes 112 and 113 are respectively constituted by the webs 158 of the metal framing members and by the webs 167 of the nonmetallic framing members. Further, in each sash frame 118, the webs 167 of the nonmetallic framing members constituting one of the lateral surfaces of the sash frame are connected with the metal framing members constituting the other lateral surface of the sash frame only by way of the relatively thin flanges 168, 170, 171 and 173 which engage the metal framing members only at their respective free marginal portions, for example, as shown on FIG. 5 with respect to framing members 153 and 157, at the edge of flange 168 receiving the edge of flange 161 in its groove 169, at the edge or rim 165 en gaging in groove 166 defined between the edge of flange 170 and the margin 172 of flange 1'71, and at the edge 174 engaging flange or septum 173. Thus, there are no relatively large areas of face-to-face contact between the interengaged metal and nonmetallic framing members, and heat transfer by conduction between the opposite lateral surfaces of each sash frame 118 exposed to disparate ambient air temperatures can occur only through the mentioned thin flanges 168, 170, 171 and 173 of the nonmetallic framing members, whereby such heat transfer is efficiently resistedv Further, the mentioned thin flanges of the nonmetallic framing members, the webs 167 of the latter and the respective metal framing members 150, 151, 152 and 153 cooperate to define cavities 177 and 178 therebetween in which the contained air enhances the insulating effect.

in the window assembly 110 as shown, heat transfer from the interior lateral surface to the exterior lateral surface of frame 118 of each ofsashes 112 and 113 is efficiently resisted, thereby to prevent such cooling of the interior surface as would result in condensing of moisture thereon from the warm interior air to which it is exposed. in each instance, the webs 167 constituting an entire lateral surface of the sash frame 118 are spaced a substantial distance, preferably, at least onefourth inch, from the nearest portion of the associated metal framing member 150, 151, 152 or 153, as by the flanges 168, 170, 171 and 173 of the nonmetallic framing members.

In order to seal window assembly 110 when its sashes 112 and 113 are in their closed positions shown on FIG. 5, the webs 158 of metal framing members 150 and 151 may have undercut grooves 179 extending along their outer portions and receiving pile sealing strips 180 engageable with flanges 143 of outer frame jambs 116 in the case of sash 112 and with flanges 144 of jambs 116 in the case of sash 113 (FIG. 6). Further, each of nonmetallic framing members 154 and 155 has an undercut groove 183 extending along the outer portion ofits web 167 and receiving a pile sealing strip 184 engageable with the confronting surfaces of median flanges 141. The nonmetallic framing members 157 may also have undercut grooves 183 in their webs 167 receiving pile sealing strips 184 each of which is engageable with the web 167 of the other member 157 in the closed positions of the sashes (FIGv 5).

The seal at the top or header of window assembly 110 may be provided by a pile sealing strip 184 received in an undercut groove 183 in web 167 of framing member 156 of sash 112 and which is engageable, in the closed position of such sash, with web 135' of the framing member 125 of header 114. The sea] at the bottom or sill 115 may be provided by a combined bumper and sealing strip 190 (FIG. 5), preferably of an elastic plastic material, which is either permanently secured, as shown, or removably mounted, as in a groove (not shown),

along the lower margin of the nonmetallic framing member 156 of sash 113 for engagement with the web of outer framing member 126v The seal at the sill 115 may be complemented, as shown, by a pile sealing strip 191 receivable in an undercut groove 192 formed along a flange 193 along the interior margin of interior metal framing member 122 of sill 115 and being engageable with web 158 of the metal framing member 152 of sash 113.

The window assembly 110 may be provided with a handle or handles 188 (FIG. 5) suitably secured to framing member 152 of sash 113 and also with a latch 189 pivoted on framing member 153 of sash 113 and engageable in a suitable keeper slot or recess provided in a keeper 187 attached to framing member 157 of sash 112. As is shown on FIG. 6, the metal framing members 154 at one side of sashes 112 and 113, and similarly the metal framing members 155 at the other side of the sashes, define outwardly opening channels between their webs 158 and flanges 163 to receive sash balances, as indicated at 194.

As described in connection with the window assembly 10, it is also an important feature of the window assembly 110 that, in all instances, a barrier of nonmetallic, thermal insulating material, preferably having a width of at least one-fourth inch, is provided between each aluminum or other metal part of outer frame 111 and of each inner or sash frame 118 and the nearest incompatible air, that is, the nearest air at a temperature substantially different from that of the air to which the aluminum part in question is exposed. Further, the pile sealing strips 180, 184 and 191 and the bumper and thermal sealing strip provide effective seals against drafts or exchanges of cold exterior air and warm interior air between the peripheries of sash frames 118 and exterior frame 111.

In both described embodiments of the invention, the arrangement of the outboard and inboard sashes 12 and 13, or 112 and 113, with their nonmetallic framing members facing toward the interior and exterior, respectively so as to be close ly adjacent to the intermediate or median nonmetallic thermal barrier members of outer frame 11 or 111, and the provision of the described seals between the nonmetallic framing members of the sashes where the latter meet or overlap and between such nonmetallic framing members of the sashes and the nonmetallic thermal barrier members of the outer frame, results in their being a continuous thermal break around the entire periphery of each sash and of the outer frame of the window assembly.

In each of the window assemblies 10 and 110, both sashes l2 and 13 or 112 and 113 have been movable relative to the outer fixed frame 11 or 111, but it will be apparent that the invention can be similarly applied to window assemblies in which only one sash is movable and the other is fixed within the outer frame.

Although illustrative embodiments of this invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A window assembly comprising an outer frame to be installed in a rough opening in an enclosing wall and including interior and exterior metal frame members for respective exposure to air at interior and exterior ambient temperatures, and a rigid nonmetallic thermal barrier member interlockingly engaged with said interior and exterior metal frame members and disposed therebetween for rigidly assembling together said metal frame members and thermally insulating the latter from each other; and first and second sashes in lapping relation within said frame and being disposed in inboard and outboard relation to the median of said thermal barrier member, at least one of said sashes being movable in parallel relation to the other sash for opening and closing the window, each of said sashes including a panel and an inner frame extending along and embracing the periphery of said panel, each of said inner frames including a metal frame member and a rigid nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member secured to each other and respectively constituting the entire opposite lateral surfaces of said inner frame, said sashes being arranged in said outer frame with said thermal insulating frame member of the inboard sash facing toward the exterior and with said thermal insulating frame member of the outboard sash facing toward the interior for providing an efficient thermal break between all metal frame members of the assembly which are exposed to the interior environment and all metal frame members which are exposed to the exterior environment.

2. A window assembly according to claim I, wherein said thermal barrier member of the outer frame is adjacent said thermal insulating frame members, and sealing means are pro vided between said thermal insulating frame members of said sashes at the portions of said inner frames which are in lapping relation when the window is closed, and between said thermal barrier member of the outer frame and said thermal insulating frame members which are adjacent thereto whereby all heat transfer paths across the framing assembly from the interior surface to the exterior surface thereof will be broken.

3. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said thermal barrier member has inwardly directed flanges at said median thereof so as to extend between said inboard and outboard sashes, and sealing means are provided between said thermal insulating frame members of the sashes and the confronting surfaces of said flanges of the thermal barrier member.

4. A window assembly according to claim 3, in which sealing means are also provided between said thermal insulating frame members of the sashes at the portions of said inner frames which meet when the window is closed.

5. A window assembly according to claim 4, in which said interior and exterior metal frame members of the outer frame have inwardly directed flanges parallel to, and spaced from said flanges of the thermal barrier member to cooperate therewith in defining guide channels for said sashes therebetween, and sealing means are also provided between said metal frame members of said inboard and outboard sashes and said flanges of the interior and exterior metal frame members, respectively, of the outer frame.

6. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said thermal insulating frame member of each of said sashes includes web means defining the respective lateral surface of the inner frame and flanges extending from said web means at substantial angles to the latter and having free marginal portions at which interlocking engagement with the respective metal frame member exclusively occurs to secure together said metal and thermal insulating frame members, said flanges substantially spacing said web means from said respective frame member and cooperating with said web means and said respective frame member to define at least one cavity therebetween.

7. A window assembly according to claim 6, in which each of said flanges has an extent of at least one-fourth inch in the direction from said web means to its marginal portion engaged with said respective metal frame member.

8. A window assembly according to claim 6, in which said thermal insulating frame member and said metal frame member of the inner frame of each sash are constituted by respective framing elements extending along the top, bottom and sides of the respective panel, and in which said flanges of each framing element included in said thermal insulating frame member effects said interlocking engagement with the associated framing element of the respective metal frame member at grooves therealong opening inwardly and outwardly, respectively, and receiving oppositely directed edges,

thermal barrier member has inwardly directed flanges at said median thereof so as to extend between said inboard and outboard sashes, and sealing means are provided between said web means of said thermal insulating frame members of the sashes and the confronting surfaces of said flanges of the thermal barrier member.

10. A window assembly according to claim 9, in which sealing means are also provided between said web means of the thermal insulating frame members of the sashes at the portions of the inner frames which meet when the window is closed.

11. A window assembly according to claim 10, in which said sealing means between the portions of the inner frames which meet when the window is closed includes pile strips extending along the respective web means of the thermal insulating frame means, and each engaging the web means of the other thermal insulating frame means.

12. A window assembly according to claim 6, in which said thermal barrier member of the outer frame includes a web interposed between said interior and exterior metal frame members of the outer frame and having a lateral extent of at least one-fourth inch.

13. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said sashes are horizontally movable relative to each other within said outer frame, and said outer frame includes a sill portion at which said thermal barrier member thereof has a shelf portion extending to the exterior and interior of said median and on which said outboard and inboard sashes are movably supportedv 14. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said sashes are vertically movable relative to each other within said outer frame, and the inboard sash has an elastic bumper and thermal sealing strip extending along the lower margin of its thermal insulating frame member engageable with said thermal barrier member of the outer frame when said inboard sash is in its lowermost closed position.

15. In a window having a panel and a frame extending along and embracing the periphery of said panel, said frame comprising a metal frame member and a rigid nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member respectively constituting the entire opposite lateral surfaces of said frame for exposure to disparate ambient air temperatures, said insulating frame member including web means defining the lateral surface of said frame constituted by said insulating frame member and flanges extending from said web means at substantial angles to the latter and having free marginal portions in interlocking engagement with said metal frame member, said flanges substantially spacing said web means from the metal frame member and said web means and flanges cooperating with said metal frame member to define at least one cavity therebetween.

16. A window according to claim 15, in which each of said flanges has an extent of at least one-fourth inch in the direction from said web means to its marginal portion engaged with said metal frame member.

17. A window according to claim 15, in which said thermal insulating frame member and said metal frame member are constituted by respective framing elements extending along straight edges of said panel, and in which said flanges of each framing element included in said thermal insulating frame member and the associated framing element of the metal frame member have cooperative grooves therealong opening inwardly and outwardly and oppositely directed edges received in said grooves for said interlocking engagement, whereby to prevent lateral or inward and outward movements of the framing elements thus engaged. 

1. A window assembly comprising an outer frame to be installed in a rough opening in an enclosing wall and including interior and exterior metal frame members for respective exposure to air at interior and exterior ambient temperatures, and a rigid nonmetallic thermal barrier member interlockingly engaged with said interior and exterior metal frame members and disposed therebetween for rigidly assembling together said metal frame members and thermally insulating the latter from each other; and first and second sashes in lapping relation within said frame and being disposed in inboard and outboard relation to the median of said thermal barrier member, at least one of said sashes being movable in parallel relation to the other sash for opening and closing the window, each of said sashes including a panel and an inner frame extending along and embracing the periphery of said panel, each of said inner frames including a metal frame member and a rigid nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member secured to each other and respectively constituting the entire opposite lateral surfaces of said inner frame, said sashes being arranged in said outer frame with said thermal insulating frame member of the inboard sash facing toward the exterior and with said thermal insulating frame member of the outboard sash facing toward the interior for providing an efficient thermal break between all metal frame members of the assembly which are exposed to the interior environment and all metal frame members which are exposed to the exterior environment.
 2. A window assembly according to claim 1, wherein said thermal barrier member of the outer frame is adjacent said thermal insulating frame members, and sealing means are provided between said thermal insulating frame members of said sashes at the portions of said inner frames which are in lapping relation when the window is closed, and between said thermal barrier member of the outer frame and said thermal insulating frame members which are adjacent thereto whereby all heat transfer paths across the framing assembly from the interior surface to the exterior surface thereof will be broken.
 3. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said thermal barrier member has inwardly directed flanges at said median thereof so as to extend between said inboard and outboard sashes, and sealing means are provided between said thermal insulating frame members of the sashes and the confronting surfaces of said flanges of the thermal barrier member.
 4. A window assembly according to claim 3, in which sealing means are also provided between said thermal insulating frame members of the sashes at the portions of said inner frames which meet when the window is closed.
 5. A window assembly according to claim 4, in which said interior and exterior metal frame members of the outer frame have inwardly directed flanges parallel to, and spaced from said flanges of the thermal barrier member to cooperate therewith in defining guide channels for said sashes therebetween, and sealing means are also provided between said metal frame members of said inboard and outboard sashes and said flanges of the interior and exterior metal frame members, respectively, of the outer frame.
 6. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said thermal insulating frame member of each of said sashes includes web means defining the respective lateral surface of the inner frame and flanges extending from said web means at substantial angles to the latter and having free marginal portions at which interlocking engagement with the respective metal frame member exclusively occurs to secure together said metal and thermal insulating frame members, said flanges substantially spacing said web means from said respective frame member and cooperating with said web means and said respective frame member to define at least one cavity therebetween.
 7. A window assembly according to claim 6, in which each of said flanges has an extent of at least one-fourth inch in the direction from said web means to its marginal portion engaged with said respective metal frame member.
 8. A window assembly according to claim 6, in which said thermal insulating frame member and said metal frame member of the inner frame of each sash are constituted by respective framing elements extending along the top, bottom and sides of the respective panel, and in which said flanges of each framing element included in said thermal insulating frame member effects said interlocking engagement with the associated framing element of the respective metal frame member at grooves therealong opening inwardly and outwarDly, respectively, and receiving oppositely directed edges, whereby to prevent relative lateral or inward and outward movements of the framing elements thus interlockingly engaged.
 9. A window assembly according to claim 6, in which said thermal barrier member has inwardly directed flanges at said median thereof so as to extend between said inboard and outboard sashes, and sealing means are provided between said web means of said thermal insulating frame members of the sashes and the confronting surfaces of said flanges of the thermal barrier member.
 10. A window assembly according to claim 9, in which sealing means are also provided between said web means of the thermal insulating frame members of the sashes at the portions of the inner frames which meet when the window is closed.
 11. A window assembly according to claim 10, in which said sealing means between the portions of the inner frames which meet when the window is closed includes pile strips extending along the respective web means of the thermal insulating frame means, and each engaging the web means of the other thermal insulating frame means.
 12. A window assembly according to claim 6, in which said thermal barrier member of the outer frame includes a web interposed between said interior and exterior metal frame members of the outer frame and having a lateral extent of at least one-fourth inch.
 13. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said sashes are horizontally movable relative to each other within said outer frame, and said outer frame includes a sill portion at which said thermal barrier member thereof has a shelf portion extending to the exterior and interior of said median and on which said outboard and inboard sashes are movably supported.
 14. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which said sashes are vertically movable relative to each other within said outer frame, and the inboard sash has an elastic bumper and thermal sealing strip extending along the lower margin of its thermal insulating frame member engageable with said thermal barrier member of the outer frame when said inboard sash is in its lowermost closed position.
 15. In a window having a panel and a frame extending along and embracing the periphery of said panel, said frame comprising a metal frame member and a rigid nonmetallic thermal insulating frame member respectively constituting the entire opposite lateral surfaces of said frame for exposure to disparate ambient air temperatures, said insulating frame member including web means defining the lateral surface of said frame constituted by said insulating frame member and flanges extending from said web means at substantial angles to the latter and having free marginal portions in interlocking engagement with said metal frame member, said flanges substantially spacing said web means from the metal frame member and said web means and flanges cooperating with said metal frame member to define at least one cavity therebetween.
 16. A window according to claim 15, in which each of said flanges has an extent of at least one-fourth inch in the direction from said web means to its marginal portion engaged with said metal frame member.
 17. A window according to claim 15, in which said thermal insulating frame member and said metal frame member are constituted by respective framing elements extending along straight edges of said panel, and in which said flanges of each framing element included in said thermal insulating frame member and the associated framing element of the metal frame member have cooperative grooves therealong opening inwardly and outwardly and oppositely directed edges received in said grooves for said interlocking engagement, whereby to prevent lateral or inward and outward movements of the framing elements thus engaged. 